How to Make an Exposing Frame for Silk Screen Printing With Photo Emulsion

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Make an Exposing Frame for Silk Screen Printing With Photo Emulsion Make an Exposing Frame for Silk Screen Printing With Photo Emulsion

Rate: (10 Ratings)

Using photo emulsion is the best way to transfer art to a silkscreen for printing. Here's how to make a simple contact unit to expose your image onto the silk screen using the sun.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Build the Contact Unit

Step1
Measure the inside "well" of the silk-screen frame. If your frame has been constructed using 2-by-2s, cut a piece of 3-inch-thick foam rubber to fit inside the well of the frame, leaving 1/2 inch of space between the foam and the frame.
Step2
Attach a set of clamp hinges to one end of a piece of plywood that is 2 inches larger all the way around than the screen frame.
Step3
Attach a simple door latch on the opposite end that will hook into an eye hook on the screen frame. Determine the position of the latch by attaching the screen frame to the hinges, well-side down (flat-side up), and lower it onto the plywood base.
Step4
Attach an eyehook into the screen frame at the opposite end from the hinges. Insert the latch into the eye hook and mark the position of the screw holes on the plywood base. Screw in the latch.
Step5
Get a piece of clear, 1/4-inch plate glass cut to the size of the silk-screen frame. For safety, tape the edges of the plate glass all the way around with 2-inch duct tape, so that 1 inch of the tape wraps around the edge of the glass on both sides.

Use the Contact Unit

Step1
Attach the screen frame to the clamp hinges well-side down.
Step2
Insert the foam into the well of the screen frame.
Step3
Lock down the frame by using the door latch, thus creating tension on the top area of the screen.
Step4
Place the art to be exposed on top of the screen.
Step5
Place the plate glass over the art. The weight of the glass should be sufficient to provide good contact with the emulsion on the screen.

Tips & Warnings

  • Be careful not to break the glass.
  • Do not try to pick up the contact unit by yourself; it will be heavy.

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Make an Exposing Frame for Silk Screen Printing With Photo Emulsion

eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Related Ads

Hobbies, Games & Toys

Sentigen
Meet Nate Chang, eHow Expert eHow’s Hobbies, Games & Toys Expert.